Danish Black Metallers BLODARV have released a video teaser for their upcoming Limited Edition “Flamekeeper” 7″ vinyl EP, which will be released on Self Mutilation Services in two versions. The diehard version, which will be strictly limited to 50 copies, comes in a special Ceremonial Box whose contents include some unique items handcrafted by founder and frontman Hugin himself during a specially held ceremony on the Island of Bornholm, whilst the regular EP will be limited to 500 copies, and will include a lyric sheet. The “Flamekeeper” video teaser can be seen below and on the band’s YouTube channel at http://youtu.be/XuEK_731S10

“Flamekeeper ” was originally slated to be released in the spring of this year, but has now been put back to around July. “We never specified an exact release date, and we’re glad we didn’t, because it has given Self Mutilation Services time to source the ideal box for the diehard edition”, comments Hugin. “We really wanted this to be something special given that it’s 20 years since the “Misanthropia/Misanthropia” demo was first released back in 1994 and which marked the first step planted on a journey that with time would become what BLODARV has become today. Not to mention that this will be our first BLODARV vinyl release in ten years. We really wanted to avoid anything flimsy in cardboard and we are excited to say that the label has managed to find a strong wooden box which will be specially engraved and which will be a collectors piece that fans can enjoy for a lifetime, and something that we can be proud to put our name to. “Included in the diehard “Flamekeeper Ceremonial Box” set are the following:

A carved wooden box for storing the EP and all the objects that are included.

The “Flamekeeper” 7″EP in black vinyl with cover

23cm embroidered Back Patch

9 x 9 cm sticker

Photo sheet

Lyric sheet

Necklace crafted by Hugin out of goat bones from the island of Bornholm and hand numbered on the back

A Black candle from the ceremony that was held during the crafting of the necklaces

Black jewellery bag for the necklace

Two-sided print guitar pick with “Flamekeeper” on one side and the BLODARV Logo on the reverse

In an age where everything is mass produced by machines, it is unusual to find a band that goes to all the trouble of hand-crafting certain items, but Hugin has his reasons. “The new tracks on “Flamekeeper” are a salute to the power of the ancient flame – the fire that feeds us and the fire that eats us. It is about putting demons into art, protecting the old, and once again leading the listener into the dark demon-filled universe of BLODARV. But above all it is about creating great Black Metal and at the same time not just giving the fans music, but also giving them something unique and personal, much in the same way as it used to be in the early years of the Black Metal Underground. We have a strong connection to our fans and followers, that’s why I crafted fifty amulets out of the goat bones during a ceremony instead of one, and why I chose to put one in each of the limited box sets for the most diehard fans”. A teaser video of Hugin carving the necklaces can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/z1cp76HqNcY

As well as “Flamekeeper”, 2014 will all so see BLODARV releasing a new full-length album, the first to feature the band’s new drummer Fjorgynn. BLODARV’s next live appearance will be at the Open Grave Metal Festival in Aalen, Denmark on the 6th June. More information about BLODARV can be found on the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/blodarvofficial